POTENTIAL FOR OYSTER CULTURE IN TEXAS

In 2013, U.S. Gulf of Mexico oyster landings accounted for about 43% of total U.S. landings. Despite this level of production, increased consumer demand has led to the importation of over 24 million pounds of oysters from foreign sources. Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations along the U.S. coast, and in particular the Gulf of Mexico coast, have historically been affected by extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes), prolonged drought resulting in reduced freshwater inflows, and human-induced stresses (e.g., Deepwater Horizon oil disaster) that have, at times, dramatically reduced oyster landings and resulted in millions of dollars in  economic loss. In order to balance these deficits, producers are increasingly turning to aquaculture. At present, oyster aquaculture accounts for approximately 96% of all oysters produced globally.  Oysters are cultured in waters similar to areas for natural fisheries, therefore, cultured oysters are similarly beneficial to the environment and culturists themselves become environmentalists because poor water quality affects their product and sales.

Texas has a strongly regulated natural oyster fishery that has substantially varied in annual production, from about 2.7 (2008) to 6.8 (2003) million pounds over the past two decades (1994-2013, Figure). As with all U.S. natural oyster fisheries, harvests are limited to approved waters having adequate substrate (e.g., oyster shell, cultch) for oyster settlement and growth. The State of Texas may periodically place cultch on grounds if substrate has been lost or buried (e.g., Galveston Bay after Hurricane Ike), but has not undertaken stock enhancement as with some sport fish species (e.g., red drum, spotted sea trout).  Currently, Texas has limited regulatory policy for use of hatchery-produced oysters for restoration or stock enhancement efforts and commercial aquaculture. Addition of oyster stock enhancement and culture to Texas waterways would provide hard economic value through increased seafood supply and associated service businesses.